Open-topped flexible bag for storing articles

ABSTRACT

An open-topped flexible bag for storing articles comprises a fabric base and four side walls having upper edges defining an open top. Stiffening elements are located at the upper edges for holding the top of the bag open.

The invention relates to an open-topped flexible bag for storingarticles, and in particular to such a bag that has a top closure thatcan be closed to close off the top and secure it closed.

The present applicant has proposed an open-topped flexible bag forstoring articles with a draw wire to close off the opening. In somesituations this arrangement is cumbersome and the bag is difficult touse comfortably if it is to be left open, such as when clothes or otherarticles in the bag need to be simply stored while retaining easy accessinto the bag.

The draw wire closure limits the usable volume of the bag as thesidewalls must be drawn together at their upper edge to close the bagand so it is preferably to use a flap closure on such a bag. However, ifthe bag has a large open top for easy access the closure becomescumbersome to close off and secure closed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an open-toppedflexible bag for storing articles that overcomes or ameliorates theabove problems of at least provides the public with a usefulalternative.

There is disclosed herein an open-topped flexible bag for storingarticles comprising a fabric base and side walls having an upper bagedge defining an open top, and a stiffening element located at the upperbag edge for holding the upper bag edge in a generally square orrectangular shape.

Preferably, the stiffening elements hold the open top of the bag open.

Preferably, the bag includes a draw-closed top comprising a skirt withan upper skirt edge that can be drawn closed by a draw-cord passingthrough a plurality of eyes around the upper skirt edge and wherein thestiffening element maintain the generally square or rectangular shape ofthe bag edge when the draw-closed top is drawn closed.

Preferably, the bag includes a top closure hinged to the bag at a firstedge and having an overlapping lip at an opposite edge that can beclosed to close off the open top of the bag and secure it closed, andwherein the stiffening element is located at the upper edge over whichthe lip can be closed.

Preferably, the bag is rectangular and the stiffening element isarranged to hold the upper edge of the side walls at rights angles toeach other.

Preferably, the stiffening element bridges two of the side walls.

Preferably, the upper edge has a pocket into which the stiffeningelement locates.

Preferably, the stiffening element is sewn into the upper edge.

Preferably, the stiffening element is selected from a group comprising astiff metallic or plastic rod, a stiff metallic or plastic strip, aridged plastic strip having flexible ends and a ridged rod having springends.

Further aspects of the current invention will become apparent from thefollowing description which is given by way of example only.

A security luggage bag according to the invention will now be describedby way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a bag according to theinvention,

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a bag according to theinvention,

FIG. 3 illustrates stiffening elements, and

FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a bag according to theinvention.

In the drawings there is depicted an open-topped flexible bag 1 forstoring articles. The bag comprises a fabric base 2 and four upwardlyextending side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 each having an upper edge 7, 8, 9, 10defining an open top. A top closure 11 is hinged to the bag at one walledge 10 and has an overlapping lip 12 at opposite edge 13. The lid canbe closed with lip 12 overlapping upper edge 8 of wall 4 to close offthe open top of the bag and secure it closed.

To hold open the top of the bag for easy access to articles in the bagand to facilitate easy closing of the lid 11 stiffening elements 14, 15,16, 17 are located at the upper edges 7, 8, 9, 10 of the side walls. Thestiffening elements 14, 15, 16, 17 are arranged to hold the upper edgeof the side walls at rights angles to each other. In the firstembodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 1, the stiffening elements14, 15, 16, 17 are positioned at the seams between the side walls sothat they each bridge two side walls. In the second embodiment of theinvention, shown in FIG. 2, the stiffening elements 14, 15, 16, 17 arepositioned along the upper edges 7, 8, 9, 10 of each side wall.

The stiffening elements 14, 15, 16, 17 can be located in pocketsprovided in the upper edges 7, 8, 9, 10 of each side wall or can be sewninto the upper edges.

FIG. 3 illustrates different types of stiffening element that can beused in a bag according to the invention. These include a stiff metallicor plastic rod 18, a stiff metallic or plastic strip 19, a ridgedplastic strip 20 having flexible ends 21, 22 and a ridged rod 23 havingspring ends 24, 25.

The second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 has a draw closed top comprising askirt 26 having an upper edge 27 that is drawn closed by a draw-cord 29passing through a plurality of eyes 28 around the upper edge 27. Whendrawn closed the flexible bag has a tendency to try and form a generalround shape.

The stiffing elements 14, 15, 16, 17 hold the bag top in generallysquare or rectangular in shape.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integersor elements having known equivalents then such are included as ifindividually set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention have been described, however it isunderstood that variations, improvement or modifications can take placewithout departure from the spirit of the invention or scope of theappended claims. For example the depicted embodiments shown stiffeningelements in all four sides or corners. In an alternative embodimentthere may be stiffening elements 14, 16 only in two sides 3 and 9respectively.

1. An open-topped flexible bag for storing articles comprising a fabricbase and side walls having an upper bag edge defining an open top, and astiffening element located at the upper bag edge for holding the upperbag edge in a generally square or rectangular shape.
 2. The bag of claim1 wherein the stiffening elements hold the open top of the bag open. 3.The bag of claim 1 further including a draw-closed top comprising askirt with an upper skirt edge that can be drawn closed by a draw-cordpassing through a plurality of eyes around the upper skirt edge andwherein the stiffening element maintain the generally square orrectangular shape of the bag edge when the draw-closed top is drawnclosed.
 4. The bag of claim 1 further including a top closure hinged tothe bag at a first edge and having an overlapping lip at an oppositeedge that can be closed to close off the open top of the bag and secureit closed, and wherein the stiffening element is located at the upperedge over which the lip can be closed.
 5. The bag of claim 1 wherein thebag is rectangular and the stiffening element is arranged to hold theupper edge of the side walls at rights angles to each other.
 6. The bagof claim 1 wherein the stiffening element bridges two of the side walls.7. The bag of claim 1 wherein the upper edge has a pocket into which thestiffening element locates.
 8. The bag of claim 1 wherein the stiffeningelement is sewn into the upper edge.
 9. The bag of claim 1 wherein thestiffening element is selected from a group comprising a stiff metallicor plastic rod, a stiff metallic or plastic strip, a ridged plasticstrip having flexible ends and a ridged rod having spring ends.